A Grimm Warning (The Land of Stories, #3)(8)

“There wouldn’t still be a Happily Ever After Assembly if it wasn’t for you,” Conner reminded her. “That whole world is in your debt forever after defeating the Enchantress. I wouldn’t worry.”

Alex looked into his eyes and smiled. “Thanks, Conner.” His reassurance always meant more to her than anyone else’s.

“How is Grandma, by the way?” Conner asked.

“She’s good,” Alex said. “She misses you and Mom terribly—almost as much as I do. She’s taught me so much over the past couple months. Really, Conner, you would be so impressed with some of the things I can do now.”

Conner laughed. “Alex, I’ve been impressed by you since the womb. I’m sure your part of the uterus was much neater and more organized than mine.”

Alex laughed out loud against her will—she missed her brother’s sense of humor but she still didn’t want to encourage it. “Really, Conner? A uterus joke? Come on. You’re lucky Mom isn’t awake to hear you,” she said. “Is Mom doing all right? She’s always very happy when she talks to me but we both know what a great front she can put up.”

Conner nodded. “She’s doing good, actually. She misses you but I’ve only caught her crying over an old photo of us together once or twice since we got back. Bob makes her really happy. I had almost forgotten what it was like to see her so happy all the time—it’s like Dad is around again.”

“That’s great to hear,” Alex said. “Dad would have been so excited about your Germany trip. He’d probably be going with you if he was still alive—I wish I could go.”

Conner looked at the clock. “Speaking of which, I better get to bed soon. I leave for the airport in, like, three hours.”

Alex’s face fell. “Aw, that’s too bad. I’ve missed you so much—it’s been great to catch up,” she said. “I’ve just been so busy. Sometimes a whole week will pass and I’ll feel like it was only a day or two.”

“You’re still happy, though, right?” He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. He would know if she was lying to him.

“Um…” Alex thought about all her lessons, all her tasks, and despite how overwhelmed and tired she was, she told him the truth. “Honestly… I’ve never been happier! I get up every morning with a smile on my face because living here is like waking up to a dream that never ends!”

The twins shared a smile, each knowing this was the truth. As hard as it was to be without her, Conner knew Alex was where she belonged and was having the time of her life.

“I wish there was a way I could take you to Germany with me,” Conner said.

“Me too!” Alex said. “But I doubt there’s a story the Brothers Grimm wrote that we haven’t heard from Grandma or Dad or—wait a second…” Her eyes fell to the bottom of the mirror. “Is the right side of your mirror’s frame loose?”

Conner inspected the corner of his mirror. “Nope—but wait, I think the left side is.”

“Can you gently pull it back and uncover the corner of the glass?” Alex asked as she did the same on her side.

“Check!” Conner said.

“Oh, good!” Alex said. “Now, can you gently chip off a piece without cracking—”

Clink! Conner held up a piece of glass bigger than the palm of his hand. “Like this?”

Clink! Alex broke off a piece of her own mirror—it was a smaller and neater piece than her brother’s but neither commented on that.

“Perfect! Now look into it!” Alex looked down into hers.

Conner looked into the small piece of mirror in his hand and saw his sister’s face staring up at him. “Amazing!” he said with a laugh. “Now I can keep you in my pocket the whole time! It’s like video chat!”

“Terrific!” Alex said. “I’ve always wanted to see Europe! Now go get some rest; you don’t want to be exhausted before you get to Germany.”

“Okay. Good night, Alex,” Conner said. “I’ll call you—or, um, reflect you rather—as soon as I get off the plane!”

“I’ll look forward to it,” Alex said, so pleased she would be a part of his trip. “I love you, Conner!”

“I love you, too, Alex,” Conner said. And with that, the twins faded from each other’s mirrors and returned to their separate lives.

Conner climbed the stairs and placed his piece of mirror gently into his sticker-covered suitcase. He lay in bed and closed his eyes tightly but couldn’t fall asleep—seeing his sister had rejuvenated him completely, causing all the excitement about the following day to come rushing back.

He laughed at himself as he lay there. “I’ve ridden a magical goose, climbed a giant beanstalk, swum to an enchanted underwater cave on a sea turtle’s back, and sailed on a flying ship across the skies of another dimension.…,” Conner listed to himself. “But I’m excited about getting on a plane tomorrow! Oh, brother…”





CHAPTER TWO





THE HALL OF DREAMS


Alex woke up the next day wearing a big smile. She had woken up with a smile every day since she began living in the Land of Stories, but her smile was especially big today because she had talked to her brother the night before. And although her new home had brought her huge amounts of happiness, spending time with her family made her feel better.